Thiago

Players arguing among themselves as well. The daft cunt should have taken his payout and pitched up on TalkSport or in Qatar.

I bet he can't remember his goalkeeper being tested before the first goal.

Easy lads. I was not saying Shelvey is on the level of Pirlo - hence why I said 'at the top level'. The point is, if you're looking at their respective games they are both players that excel technically but don't offer much physically. The way Juventus offset that weakness was by having Arturo Vidal charging round with four lungs breaking it up and and Paul Pogba playing halfway between an 8 and a 10 - operating in the final third but able to drop deep and make it a more flat three when needed. That's exactly what Howe has done with Joelinton, Willock, and Shelvey. Now when I say 'he'll be grand' I mean he'll be sufficient for a team aiming to finish between 16th and 12th. The reason it's not sustainable long term is because Shelvey is not the level of Pirlo and the investment isn't worth the payoff.

Howe has realised what many knew of Jonjo and players of his ilk - surround him with legs and he'll be grand. It's not terribly dissimilar at the top level to Pirlo at Juventus.

See but it undermines all the work Howe has done. In January, he made a big point about not wanting to upset the dressing room when it came to new signings. He wanted the right characters, not any old sod that would come for a paycheck. I do believe a big reason we've seen an uptick in form is because those players are now far more together and willing to fight for each other. The team overall is far more organised tactically, but below that is a series of partnerships working together. The midfield right now has a lovely balance between Joelinton's ball-winning, Willock crashing the box, and Shelvey orchestrating things. What message does it send if you parachute Bruno in when the team is winning and all three are doing what's asked? You might as well pick the eleven most expensive players at that point. Howe has inspired a fair few that looked ready for the scrapheap. To ruin that dynamic now just because you think Bruno is a better player is sacrificing so much more.

I also think, and this will be true of almost every player on our books, let's give them a preseason under Eddie Howe before we judge their physical quality. The Bruce injury crisis is well established at his previous clubs, and his coaching staff were quick to throw the medical team under the bus after they were sacked. I think Ryan Fraser is a good example of someone that clearly looks fitter and sharper under Howe, but has also picked up several minor complaints because he doesn't have that bank of fitness from preseason. The same could be true of Saint-Maximin, and then you throw in COVID and the fact he does get a good kicking most games, I'd much prefer we gave him time.

Who was the last midfielder we had with his consistent drive from the middle? Moussa Sissoko?

It's worth considering that Abramovich hasn't done any of this for Chelsea's benefit, but rather his own. The majority of English clubs have been vocal in support of Ukraine, and Chelsea will likely wish to echo those sentiments. Putin won't be best pleased if his associate's club indirectly criticises him by showing support for an enemy.

I decided to load up the game on Peacock to watch his cameo. My quick thoughts (with the caveat that it's against 10 men): - His first few touches really displayed his speed of thought. The fact he's able to do that will be really helpful in future games where things are a bit tighter. - He's clearly a tempo setter. He didn't just rush to release it every time though. On a few occasions he was happy to hold onto it. If he's taking anyones spot it's that of Jonjo Shelvey. - I loved how often he pulled away from his marker to make himself available for a pass. It's a tiny detail, but having someone like that in midfield is huge. It's confidence personified. - He has a lovely weight of pass on him. There was one to Willock in the middle, and one to Wood that were crisp. That'll be a huge when it comes to exploiting the pace of our wingers. Overall another encouraging performance. I can see why Howe is easing him in, drip feeding the games so he acclimatises, but I'm optimistic about what he can offer us going forward.

He's a solid young player. I'd say he's like a poor man's Pulisic, but with a much better injury record. I'd say his big skill is running with the ball and making dangerous runs without it. I'm not convinced he's good enough to move the needle in the way we'd want. We won't be pissing about if we stop up and I think lower-half/mid-table is about where he's at. The thought of Bruno Guimares, Joelinton, and Pogba is outrageous

I think that needs context. When we signed Kieran Trippier it was a perfect storm. We needed proven quality that required no adaptation period to the Premier League and he wanted to come home. There's always a benefit to experience, but asking a player with no prior experience in England to come in and find success at 31 seems a needless risk. I'm hopeful we stay up in which case we'll have several months to do deals.

I can smell that video.

He can't claim to be assisting the legal case anymore but he still wants that relevancy. Twat.

I think Bielsa was dealt a shit hand this season. He was only able to sign two players of note, and he's rarely had the spine of the team fit. His ability to elevate some of the players in that squad is impressive, but as others have alluded to he's a tough act to follow. The Leeds system means that if you can identify one or two matchups in the final third you can win chances are you'll trouble them. That's why Spurs went wide and Kane just floated deep. The next manager could approach things with a more pragmatic slant, but I'm not convinced there is an obvious style for that group to play. Raphinha is clearly very good but I'm not sold on Rodrigo and after that it's hard to see who can be a difference maker while Bamford and Phillips are out. It starts to feel like us under Bruce where the plan is just get the ball to Saint-Maximin. I'd be very surprised if they stay up, and if they do, I think they're going to need a heavy investment especially in midfield.

I agree. Their squad must be quite imbalanced if he's their best option at RB. As you say he's no right-back, but I thought he was very poor for Joelinton's goal. If there's one thing you'd expect from someone his size it's that they would be solid in the air. Instead he had a free run at the ball.

We shouldn't underestimate this lot. Their form seems bad but really it's just a lot of fine margins where wins have ended up draws. I'd like Saint-Maximin back just to give us more balance out wide. Howe said something yesterday - if you can't win, don't lose - and I think that's how we should be approaching this.

We'd all have loved him to play, but the fact we've managed to pick up 4 points without him is a big plus for the confidence of the group. Fingers crossed he's back fit and firing next week. He's a game changer in any scenario, but it feels like he feeds off the home crowd.

He's growing into this role. Could easily have had two assists today. He's clearly bought into Howe and the idea of a long-term future here and I'm all for it.

I must admit my expectations were modest with this guy. That said he's so much more than an old school defender. He's confidence at the back, he's composure.

Interesting to read what Howe has done for him. It's that kind of dedication and attention to detail we deserve as a Premier League club. I'm glad to see Willock is managing to shake the Bruce off him.

I look forward to that 1.25 then.

Do people already forget what it was like under Ashley? We had an owner that really spoke and when he did it was total bullshit. Before that our owner called the women dogs. Now we've got owners saying we deserve the world and they want to give it to us They may be lying too but at least the melody on this tune is easier to listen to.

Another win with him up top. His header in the first half was probably the first time I thought he should be scoring. I do feel like he's playing with a bit of nerves. If he can get that first one soon then I think he'll get 5 before the season is done.

That's a surprise. Touch of the Cudicini's then.

I'm watching the highlights back and their keeper looked totally inspired.